NPTE-PTA Therapeutic Modalities Practice Questions
Therapeutic Modalities makes up 3 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest NPTE-PTA practice test. Here are 10 of the 12 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the FSBPT NPTE-PTA Test Content Outline (2024). Original questions; 50 per test, weighted like the real exam. Not affiliated with FSBPT.
1. Which ultrasound frequency is chosen for tissue about 4 cm deep?
- A.0.5 kHz
- B.1 MHz
- C.3 MHz
- D.10 MHz
Answer: B. 1 MHz reaches about 2 to 5 cm; 3 MHz is absorbed more superficially, about 1 to 2 cm, and heats faster.
2. Which site is a contraindication to therapeutic ultrasound?
- A.Over a tight hamstring
- B.Over a lateral elbow
- C.Over a healed ankle sprain
- D.Over the pregnant uterus
Answer: D. Ultrasound is not applied over a pregnant uterus, known malignancy, active infection or the eyes.
3. Iontophoresis with dexamethasone, which is negatively charged, uses which electrode as the active one?
- A.Negative (cathode)
- B.No electrode, gel only
- C.Positive (anode)
- D.Either electrode
Answer: A. Like charges repel, so a negative ion is driven into the tissue from the cathode.
4. How many layers of towel are usually placed between a moist hot pack and the skin?
- A.Twelve to sixteen
- B.None at all
- C.Six to eight
- D.One or two
Answer: C. About 6 to 8 layers of towel (or a terry cover plus towels) prevent burns. Skin is checked after the first few minutes.
5. Which condition is a contraindication to cold therapy?
- A.Post-exercise soreness
- B.Mild bursitis
- C.Raynaud phenomenon
- D.Acute ankle sprain
Answer: C. Cold can trigger severe vasospasm in Raynaud phenomenon. Cold urticaria and cryoglobulinemia are other contraindications.
6. Conventional (high-rate) TENS for pain usually uses which settings?
- A.High frequency, short pulse
- B.Direct current only
- C.Single pulses an hour apart
- D.Low frequency, long pulse
Answer: A. Conventional TENS uses about 80 to 150 pps with short pulse durations at a comfortable sensory level to block pain by the gate mechanism.
7. When NMES is used to strengthen the quadriceps, how does the off time usually compare to the on time?
- A.Equal to one second
- B.Shorter than the on time
- C.Always zero seconds
- D.Longer than the on time
Answer: D. A long off time (often a 1:3 to 1:5 ratio) limits muscle fatigue so each contraction can be strong.
8. Which device is a contraindication to electrical stimulation over the chest?
- A.A dental crown
- B.A demand pacemaker
- C.A titanium knee implant
- D.Contact lenses
Answer: B. Electrical current can interfere with pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, so stimulation is not applied near them.
9. Which is a contraindication to intermittent pneumatic compression of a leg?
- A.Post-operative edema
- B.Acute deep vein thrombosis
- C.Chronic venous insufficiency
- D.Lymphedema
Answer: B. Compression could dislodge a clot. Acute DVT, acute infection and uncompensated heart failure are contraindications.
10. Why is a split table used for mechanical lumbar traction?
- A.To apply heat during traction
- B.To lock the knees straight
- C.To raise the patient's head
- D.To cut pelvic friction
Answer: D. Separating the table section under the pelvis removes most of the friction, so the traction force reaches the spine.
Practice all 12 therapeutic modalities questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free NPTE-PTA training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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